Research on Reduction and Recycling of Food Waste by Separating Raw Food Waste and Earth Worm Composting in the Apartment
In this research, food waste source reduction model for apartment was investigated. In spite of prohibition of direct landfill of food waste and continuous efforts made by government and local government, food waste production increases steadily. Recycling ratio of the food waste increases every year, but its products have many problems like low quality, stability, salt, odor etc. Household occupies 63.3% of whole food waste production and this is subject to be a key factor to control food waste.
We surveyed S apartment in Kwangju city as a model case, in which administrative office and women's association adopted clean plate eating, separation of raw food waste and earth worm composting as a series of method for source reduction and recycling inside the apartment. With the help of residents' participation and practice, food waste production decreased 15.6% from 0.31 g/capita/day in 2007 to 0.26 g/capita/day in 2009 (domestic average 0.30 g/capita/day). Separation of raw food waste and its composting using earth worm were very effective, and were subject to resolve the problems of present food waste treatment technologies. And earth worm composting was very useful in environmental, economical, societal and educational aspects.
Instead of economical incentive, educational programs about food value, environmental problem and critical method for food waste separation were more effective for promotion of source reduction. From the analyses on the process and success factors in this model, we could conclude that leader's role was one of the key factors for the settlement of source reduction, and that was to understand the seriousness of the food waste and to seek solution, to test techniques, and to practice by oneself. Furthermore, networking and collaboration among residents, local government, NGO and local press promoted residents' participation, and it was through various education and investigation. Finally, source reduction and self recycling model of food waste in the apartment, that applies separating raw food waste and earth worm composting based on the collaboration among residents, local government, NGO, and local press, should be disseminated, and environmental policy also should be changed to make it possible.